Reno school uniforms policy ruled unconstitutional

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the policy requiring students at Roy Gomm Elementary School in Reno to wear uniforms unconstitutional.

The policy required students to wear shirts or sweatshirts emblazoned with a logo bearing the school name, a picture of the school mascot and the motto “Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

Mary and Jon Frudden challenged the policy saying their two children shouldn’t be required to wear the uniforms. They specifically objected to the motto.

The appellate court agreed and also ruled against the exemption allowing students in recognized organizations such as the Cub Scouts to wear their uniforms instead of the school shirts.

“We hold that the uniform policy — both the motto requirement and the exemption — violate the First Amendment,” the opinion states.

The case has been back and forth through the courts since it was filed in 2011. The Fruddens’ two children are no longer in elementary school.